Manish Sharma Bluebeam

5 Questions with New Bluebeam Chief Product Officer Manish Sharma

Bluebeam’s new CPO sat down with Built to discuss customer centricity in technology, his new love for pickleball and what yoga has taught him about business

Manish Sharma, Bluebeam’s new chief product officer, is passionate about outdoor activities and learning new sports like pickleball. He’s in good company—outdoor pursuits often involve setting goals and working diligently to achieve them, whether it’s completing a hike, mastering a yoga pose or picking up a new sport. This goal-oriented mindset translates directly to professional environments, where perseverance and vision are key to success.

Pickleball, a fast-growing paddle sport played with a wiffle ball on a smaller court resembling tennis, has taken the world by storm. Sharma, who has recently joined the craze, is equally dedicated to making construction technology just as ubiquitous. At Bluebeam, he has a front-row seat to the latest innovations in digital collaboration software.

Built caught up with Sharma to discuss his fascination with technology, his love of nature and—of course—the lessons pickleball brings to his role at Bluebeam. Edited excerpts follow.

What inspires you about working in technology, and what excites you about being in this space?

By training, I’m an engineer, so technology has always been a natural path for me. But as I’ve delved deeper, I’ve realized the tremendous problems we can solve through technology—the impact we can make on the world. Technology touches people’s lives in ways that make things simpler, faster and more enjoyable. I believe technology is foundational; it’s the key to unlocking a better future.

Sharma, far right, and his family hiking.

Is there someone, either professionally or personally, who has shaped your life? 

There are several people. First, my previous company’s CEO, Vimal Kapur, is one of the greatest leaders I’ve worked with. He has a unique ability to think strategically on a big-picture level while also being incredibly operational. That combination is rare and inspiring. 

Second is Steve Jobs. I admire his relentless drive for innovation and his refusal to give up. Another is Satya Nadella. I truly appreciate how he’s steering Microsoft with such vision and empathy.

When you’re not working, how do you like to spend your time?

I enjoy a range of activities. Yoga is my passion—it helps me stay centered and focused. I also love hiking, especially in the mountains, where I can reconnect with nature. Sports are another favorite, and I recently picked up pickleball—it’s such a fun and engaging game. Finally, I cherish time with friends, whether it’s socializing or celebrating together.

Do you find lessons from yoga, hiking or pickleball that apply to your professional life?

Absolutely. Outdoor activities and sports teach preparation, vision, continuous learning and adaptability to unexpected challenges. These skills mirror the professional world, where strategic planning and flexibility are vital.

For example, learning pickleball taught me that I can pick up new skills—even in an unfamiliar domain. Similarly, I’m confident I can dive into this industry, understand its customers and adapt to their needs. Yoga, with its emphasis on flexibility and pushing boundaries, reinforces the importance of agility and openness to new environments and ideas.

Sharma practicing yoga.

What message do you have for Bluebeam customers who are just getting to know you?

Bluebeam is an incredible product, and I’ve heard countless positive remarks from customers. They love its simplicity, ease of use and the immense value it provides. Bluebeam is more than software; it’s a cornerstone for innovation in construction and design. It bridges the gap between vision and reality.

The future with Bluebeam is not just digital—it’s smarter, faster and built to last. I’m thrilled to work alongside our customers to continue driving innovation and creating solutions that transform their industries.

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